Five minutes with Emeka Frederick

Emeka Frederick co-founded Chuku’s Nigerian Tapas Restaurant with his sister, Ify in 2020. Here, the restaurateur talks egusi, eba and Tottenham’s Electric Grubb
By Alice Kemp-Habib

Emeka with his sister, Ifeyinwa

Which shops do you rely on?

West Green Halal Meat for local fruit and vegetables. Our neighbours are a dream, too; we regularly borrow the trolley from Martinez Butchers to unload after a cash and carry run; Blighty coffee shop and the Turkish restaurant Candir receive many early morning deliveries on our behalf, and Las Delicias de Juancho next door are there for our Colombian coffee fixes.

Where do you go for a good time?

We regularly host team socials and last time out we went to Rollernation. We had been wanting to go as a team since we opened, so it was great to finally make it happen. I also love exercising outdoors at Finsbury Park or Lordship Recreation Ground.

Why do you love Haringey?

Community spirit, green spaces among the hustle and bustle, plus, it’s always interesting!

What’s your secret Haringey spot?

The Engine Room in Tottenham Hale. If you don’t live in Hale Village, or stumble across it like I did a few years back, you wouldn’t know this community space existed. They have an array of programmes to engage, educate and entertain young people – from toddlers to teens. I even had the opportunity to be a masterchef at their kids’ cookery classes last Easter. They have a café and a church for the community and the team behind the scenes are just amazing; they’re a caring group and personify what I love about being in Tottenham.

Where in the borough would you recommend for a first date?

Chuku’s. A couple had their first date with us in 2020 and had their wedding reception at Chuku’s in 2021, true story. So, single people – our Nigerian tapas can help you find love!

Where do you get your culture fix?

Food from Electric Grubb on Tottenham High Road and vibes at The Bash Restaurant on West Green Road.

What food sums up happiness?

Egusi and eba. My sister and I grew up eating this – it’s a popular Nigerian dish and one of our childhood favourites. Egusi is a morish stew made from melon seeds and eba is made from grated cassava. They are the def inition of comfort food. At Chuku’s our egusi bowl has been recommended by Time Out and night after night is our best selling dish.

What are you working on at the moment? Great question! A local delivery service, an in-house supperclub series, new brunch packages, happy hour specials, a live event for Nigerian Independence Day (on Sunday, 1st October) and building our Tik Tok profile – we’re new, so follow us @chukusldn

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